Medea’s emotions are destroyed by Jason’s betrayal. Medea is so deep into the pit of
despair, she is having suicidal thoughts. All the nurse can hear is “the
sound of laments, full of despair; as she cries out shrill sad
sounds of mourning at
the betrayer of her marriage-bed”(203-206). Medea wasted her time trying to pleasure Jason, and it was all no use. Jason's betrayal taught Medea the reality of women's status in society from a first-hand experience. Along with betrayal, Medea's sadness and anger is caused by her realization of how insignificant she is in Greek Society.
Instead of being heartbroken over Jason, Medea should feel relieved because now she
is liberated. Greek women had little say in politics and were a sort of
domesticated slave used only to take care of a man and children. "Women are the sorriest lot: first we must at a great expenditure of money buy a husband and even take on a master over our body"(231-234).Medea
sacrificed so much for Jason, including the fact that Medea “killed
my brother in cold blood for him!(167).” Without Jason, Medea can finally live a life for her self; No more sacrifices. Liberation is supposed to be exciting! Jason is ungrateful for all that Medea has done for him,
and if Jason cant appreciate the sacrifices Medea has made for him as a woman
in love, then he doesn’t deserve her at all. Jason, an ungrateful, cheating man
can now bear a burden on another woman, instead of on the loving Medea.
I feel like it's not that easy. Yes she's free now but by the way she's acting I don't think she wanted to be free. She wanted Jason and her kids to be a happy family and when that image in her mind was ruined she lost it. So yes she is free but what good is that doing her if it's not what she wants? It takes two to be in a relationship and Medea can't play Jason's role for him so she has to come to the realization that she can't make anyone stay or make him love her.
ReplyDeleteGood insight, Medea should get over being heartbroken over someone who clearly doesn't love her anymore and continue on with her future. Although she still has children to take care of she is now "free" and should be very relieved. In order to have a better life she needs to forget her past and move on!
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